This week has been one of wondering what is ahead for me.  Have you been there?  Life has had so many twists and turns since the corona virus hit and now with things opening up it started looking good, until the numbers began to spike.  Then the supposed cure, the vaccine, has presented its own set of problems.  What is a person to do? 

I know people who are news fanatics, watching everything about the virus, about the deaths, about the different vaccines and possible elimination of the virus all together.  Is it any wonder that fear is still gripping the population?  When will this be over, when will I be able to live without wearing a mask?  How long before the power of this virus has been diminished?  How long before this virus becomes a note in history?  What we really need in this season is peace.  The following is a segment from my upcoming book about overcoming giants that block our entrance into the land of promise.  The lack of peace is overtaking the world and fear is in control.

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”  Colossians 3:15

Two things stand out to me, in this scripture.  First it says, we are called to peace and second peace is a by-produce of being thankful.  When we exercise thanksgiving, discouragement is nowhere to be found.  Praise and thanksgiving for all we have or don’t have puts us in a spirit of contentment.  Philippians 4:11-13 speaks of being content in whatever situation or state we find ourselves.  Thanksgiving leads to the peace of God and it will flow from you to others.

Peace is defined as freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquil.  Peace, also, is the awareness of the presence of God.  The New Testament meaning refers to rest and tranquility.  When we are in the presence of God, our focus is on Him and not on our circumstances.  Therefore, worry, fear, anxiety, and discouragement cannot exist while in God’s presence.  Isaiah 26:3 says it best, “Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee”.  Peace is not the absence of trouble; it is the presence of God.